Chapter 6 Pg. 97-111

This chapter illustrates the characters of Dan Cody, a former millionaire, and James Gatz, a middle class teenager who believed he was destined for bigger and better things. As this duo traveled the continent in their yacht, Gatz slowly developed and reconstructed himself into who is now Jay Gatsby. After weeks delay, Nick arrives at Gatsby’s house and is surprised to find Tom, a rich man, and a woman riding horses and having drinks with Gatsby. In addition, the Buchanan’s also made an appearance at Gatsby’s party that weekend, where Gatsby tried to find alone time with Daisy while she was distracted and amazed by all the famous people she believed she saw. Though Tom found that night to be boring and awkward, Gatsby hoped for the past to become the present and that Daisy would come to recognize their love for each other.

Dan Cody:

* “…the pioneer debauchee, who during one phase of American life brought back to the Eastern seaboard the savage violence of the frontier brothel and saloon.” –Nick Carraway

* Cody made money off the metal business, giving him enough wealth to enjoy drinking, spending, and women. He took James of the coast to enjoy the leisurely life essentially creating the Jay Gatsby. When he died he gave Jay the money which would start him off to reach his fantasies and dreams.

* Dan Cody ultimately assisted in creating the persona of Jay Gatsby. Through providing him with wealth and incite to the personality of the rich, lonely and dull James Gatz would now be capable of building his new person which would embody who he has always dreamed to be. Through the huge picture mounted on Gatsby’s wall, one could see that Cody had become the inspiration and idol of Gatsby, and without Dan Cody, I don’t think Jay Gatsby would even be possible.

“Can’t repeat the past?...Why of course you can!” –Gatsby

This expresses the pure delusional state Gatsby has been living in for the past five years. He doesn’t just want to catch Daisy’s attention; he has an entire fantasy that he believes will become reality. He strives for him and Daisy to be just as they were five years ago. However, with Daisy married and influenced by the social standards, and Gatsby still developing his Jay Gatsby identity, both have become completely different people. The closer they get to each other, the more their fantasies will deteriorate to reveal a reality that neither of them want to see. I feel that the realization of the truth will be tragic for both the characters, leaving them with nowhere to be now or in the future.